At Heritage tours we've proven that small groups (8 - 20 guests) and excellent value are a great mix along with our out of the way experiences. Since we create and operate our own trips, these are unique travel experiences. Most of the things we show our small groups will not be found with any other travel trips.

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Czech And SlovakTours

At Heritage tours we've proven that small groups(8-

20 guests) and excellent value are a great mixalong with our out of the way experiences. Sincewe create and operate our own trips, these areunique travel experiences. Most of the things weshow our small groups will not be found with anyother travel trips. We work closely with our manyfriends and associates, with whom we have longstanding relationships.

Most of these folk artists and everyday localpeople only work with us at Heritage Tours. Weexcel at giving our guests the best Europeanexperiences, multi night stays in one place awayfrom the hordes of tourists. Most other tours havea series of one-night stays in places far apart.

Focusing on the Czech Republic Slovakia

Czech and Slovak Heritage Tours

I, Mark

(Vasko)

Bigaouette

led my first group into the newly freed (then called )

Czechand Slovak Federated Republics in 1992.

I had no intention of getting into the tourbusiness.

People in our ethnic community kept saying to me, your so involved, your love ofour heritage is so strong, you love history, the culture, the people-

you should be takingpeople overseas!

For the first two years I did one tour a year. My real job was being a directcare worker with the mentally handicapped. It was a very challenging job, and I loved it.However trying to get time off work to do these tours started to get harder and harder.

In 1994 and 1995 we had two tours each year. All my involvement within the ethniccommunity really started to take its toll. I had to eventually go to part time at my real job in1996. This gave me the time to make great changes to the tours. I started working with anew travel agency in Prague. We went on three tours that year, and 4 tours in 1997.

Besidesmy own tours

I also set up tours for other travel agencies and family groups. Which I nolonger do, all my friends and contacts in Europe all have real jobs.

We believe in the philosophy "do what you love to do" I don't want to turn doing my toursinto a grind, always on the go. I love showing people the rich and wonderful culture of myheritage. That heritage that thrives with the traditions and folk festivals found in thecountryside.

Personal biography for MarkVasko-Bigaouette

My grandparents JoeVasko

& MaryKubicek

were married inLetohrad, East Bohemiaand came to the

US in 1929.

My mom, Marcella could only speak Czech when shestarted school in New Prague Minnesota. I grew up hearing Czech, eating Czech food,and listening to stories about the old country.

I enjoyed this so much, I wished morepeople could learn about their heritage.

Towards this goal I founded the "CzechoSlovak

Genealogical Society International" in 1988. I was its President for the first 10 years.

Thena member of the Board of Directors, for another 6 years.

It has grown to one ofthe largest ethnic organizations in North America. (almost 4000 members)

Thanks to agreat group of dedicated volunteers!

I am also involved in our local "Sokol" the homeof our ethnic community.